"I don’t know where to start”: Survey respondents’ views about barriers to participation in social and leisure activities

In 2022 the National Disability Authority conducted a National Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey.

The survey included an open question that targeted respondents who indicated they encounter barriers to participation in social and leisure activities. Over 1,000 respondents, of whom four in five were people with disabilities, told us about the barriers they face. We conducted a narrative analysis of these responses and have developed the responses into ten categories that highlight the range and complexity of issues raised.

The survey data indicate that disabled people are not able to participate in social and leisure activities on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers. Unequal access to and participation in social and leisure activities is likely to contribute to inequalities in health outcomes between the disabled and non-disabled populations.